The Echo of Being / Symphonic Cinema / Mahler

Film maker Lucas van Woerkum creates silent films inspired by classical music. In The Echo of Being, he intertwines parts of Mahler’s Second, Fourth, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Symphonies with a cinematic story about Gustav and Alma Mahler and their daughter Maria. The leading roles are played by Amira Casar (Call Me by Your Name) and Greg Wise (The Crown). The music is orchestrated by composer Thomas Beijer and is performed live by the New European Ensemble. Van Woerkum synchronizes the film live from the stage, creating a unique symbiosis of music and imagery.

The film explores the dying process of daughter Maria through the eyes of the three family members. Their pain and loss, but especially their love for nature, life, and the unknown, are the central themes. The journey to the afterlife, as seen through the eyes of the dying daughter, is visualized with fractal animations based on the musical structure. Van Woerkum synchronizes the film live with the orchestra, creating a unique symbiosis of music and imagery.